Today's Edition
DUBAI (WAM)
The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has showcased the latest developments and achievements made by the National Prediabetes and Diabetes Screening campaign at Arab Health 2024 at the Dubai World Trade Centre from January 29 to February 1, 2024.
Launched last October by the ministry in collaboration with local and private health authorities, the initiative combats diabetes and meets the national goal of reducing its prevalence.
It also aims to enhance public awareness about diabetes while emphasising the significance of adopting healthy lifestyles to prevent the disease, particularly type 2 diabetes, and early detect prediabetes among individuals at higher risk.
Sustainable, Lasting Impact On Public Health
The programme not only provides tailored medical advice and appropriate treatments, but also consistent follow-up at intervals of three months, six months, and a year to ensure the initiative's sustainability and make a lasting impact on public health.
As part of the campaign, MoHAP, in collaboration with its partners, has been actively providing screening services for residents through medical centres nationwide. The campaign also involves visits to government and private sector organisations, offering on-site testing services. Additionally, digital questionnaires are used to assess individuals' risk of developing diabetes, followed by haemoglobin A1C tests (a measure of blood sugar levels) for those with an increased risk.
100-Day Challenge: 12,000 Tests
A notable milestone was achieved at the beginning of this year when the ministry announced a significant accomplishment in the initiative's implementation. Guided by the Government Accelerators Programme's 100-day challenge, which aimed to conduct 5,000 early detection tests for diabetes across the state, the ministry exceeded expectations by completing over 12,000 tests, marking a 140 percent increase above the initial target.
Dr. Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Public Health Sector, said, “The National Prediabetes and Diabetes Screening campaign represents a cornerstone in our mission to uplift public health. It is an embodiment of the ministry’s commitment to not only raising health awareness but also to proactively managing and preventing health issues.
"By focusing on early detection, we seek to enhance the overall quality of life, ensuring a supportive environment for those with diabetes. This initiative is a step forward in our ongoing battle against noncommunicable diseases, realised through the synergy of our strategic partnerships.”
Dr. Buthina Bin Belaila, Head of the Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health Department at the ministry, said, “Addressing Type 2 diabetes is a significant challenge that the ministry is actively working to mitigate. We aim to reduce its prevalence, enhance preventive measures, improve the associated national health indicators, and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030."
